Radiant heating installation



Oct. 2, 1951 Filed Sept. 14, 1950 R. C. CASSIDY ETAL RADIANT HEATINGINSTALLATION 2 Sheets-Sheet l p amwdzu ATTORNEY' Oct- 2, 1951 R. c.cAsslDY Erm. 2,559,921

RADIANT HEATING INSTALLATION Filed sept. 14, 195o 2 sheets-sheet 2.ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 2, 1951 RADIANT HEATING INSTALLATION Robert C.Cassidy, Fairlawn, John F. Schreiber, Passaic, and Elbert De F. Tidd,Clinton, N. J., assignors to United States Rubber Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application September 14, 1950, SerialNo. 184,872

9 Claims.

This invention relates to radiant space heating installations, and moreparticularly it relates to electrical radiant heating systems which areincorporated in the ceiling or Walls of a room. This application isclosely related to the Tidd et al. application Serial No. 134,949 filedDecember 24, 1949 for Radiant Heating Installation and covering theinvention more broadly than herein. It is also closely related to theBarnes et al. application Serial No. 118,966 led September 30, 1949 forMetal Raceway, and covering a raceway per se.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved meansfor assembling electrical radiant heating panels in the ceiling or wallof a room which.permits latitude in the placement of such panels andwhich provides a decorative enclosure or support for such panels.

Another object is the provision of an electrical radiant heating panelinstallation in which the electrical connections to the panels areprotected within an enclosure constructed to allow Vfor adjustablepositioning of such enclosure with respect to the panels.

Still another object is to provide an improved enclosure for electricalheating panel connections and wiring, which can be associated with suchpanels conveniently, which permits easy access to such wiring, and whichfacilitates subsequent finishing of the surfaces of the room in which itis installed.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be made evidentin the following detailed description when read with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view, with parts in section, of part of the ceiling ofa room (viewed from below) formed of heating panels assembled with acove raceway in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional elevation on a larger scale of a coveof the room taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and showing details ofattachment of electrical wiring to the heating panels;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view through a connector block takenalong the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cove raceway of Fig. 2 in whichelectrical connections to the heating panels are made.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the room ceiling representedtherein comprises a row of electrical radiant heating panels I0,arranged adjacently and extending from either side of the room so as tocover a major part of the ceiling and display an unobtrusive, flushappearance. These panels may be of the general character disclosed inthe U. S. Patent 2,314,766 to A. W. Bull et al., and include a film orlayer of electrically conducting composition, such as a dispersion ofconductive carbon black in a rubber composition, embedded in anelectrically insulating material, such as a composition building board.The panel itself forms no part of the instant invention and is of a typenow available on the market.

Each panel I0 contains such an electrical heating element comprising alayer or lm of electrically conductive rubber II embedded in theinterior of a composition building board and spaced from the marginaledge thereof to leave non-conducting marginal areas I2Y at the ends andsides of the panel through which nails or screws may be driven withoutfear of shorting or grounding the electrical circuit. Embedded feedtapes I3 and I4 lof conductive material, such as copper or aluminumtapes, engage the longitudinal edges of the conductive layer II inelectrical contact therewith for passing electric current therethrough.

The panels IU are fastened to ceiling beams I5 running transversely ofthe room, as by means of spaced nails or screws I6 passing through thenon-conductive marginal areas I2 of the panel into the beams. In orderthat the panels may present a perfectly smooth, iiush appearance suitedfor the application of plaster, paint, Wall paper, cloth, or otherdesired decoration, the marginal edges of the panels through which the oscrews I2 are passed are provided with a slight recess I'I, and a thiniinishing strip I8 of paper, cloth, cement, or other suitable materialis applied to the recess I1, as indicated most clearly in the brokenaway portion of Fig. 1, thereby covering neatly the joint I9 betweenadjacent panels as well as the heads of the screws I 6.

For the purpose of associating electrical feed lines with the panels IIJthere is provided along at least one edge of the row of -panels araceway, such-as an angular metal channel 20, suitably made in thedecorative form of a cove molding as shown in perspective in Fig. 4. Theremaining edges of the panels are similarly covered with a cove molding2| of similar external appearance, which however need not necessarily bea raceway capable of accommodating electrical connections.

The angular raceway 20, as shown in perspective in Fig. 4, has a backwall 22 adapted to rest against the side wall of the room and a top wall23 adapted to rest against the ceiling. The raceway is adapted to fit inthe corner of the room under a marginal edge of the panel I at thejunction of the wall and ceiling of the room, as indicated most clearlyin Fig. 2. The top wall 23 of the raceway contains elongated spacedopenings 24 (Fig. 4) which may be cut therein at the time ofmanufacture'of the raceway, or which may be provided for in the form ofknockouts. As will appear hereafter, the purpose of the openings 24 isto provide for an electrical connection to the panel and they are. ofa-length to4v provide for adjustment of the panel electrical connectionslongitudinally alongrthelength of the raceway.

The raceway may be fastened to studs of the room wall by screws 2B'(Figs: l and 2) passing through holes 2Iv (Fig 4) inthe back wall 22 ofthe raceway. As represented in Figs. 1 and 2, the studs 25 of the roommay be 4covered with a wall board 28, or with conventional lathing and alayer ofV plaster 28;

A horizontal ledge 'r (Figs. 2.and 4) projects from the bottom of the'rear wall 22 ofthe' racewayl 20, serving as a guide for. application ofthe layer of plaster 29 tothe wall ofthe room. A vertical ledge 3|(Figs. 2 and 4) depends from the front edge of the topA wall 231 of' theraceway 2G, such ledge also serving as a guide for the application of'aY layer of.' plaster (not shown) or other covering to the ceiling, if'suchV isV desired.

Extending upwardly fromthe lower plaster ledge 30 ofthe raceway 20.` isan extension or flange SZ'terminating in a reversely curvedrlipe (Figs.2 and 4). The lowerfmarginof the Vertical plaster ledge 3Iof theiracewayalso has a curved lip 34. The two lips 33 and34serve tofrictionallyengage a cover plate carryingcurvedv lips 35 and 31 on its marginaledgeswhich cooperate with lips 33V and 34 to hold the' coverV plate 35in place when it is snappedi on the raceway. This forms with the'walls22 an'd23 ofthe raceway a complete enclosure for the' electrical wiringand connection therein.L The snap-on cover plate 35 may have any desiredsuitable ornamental shape.

Terminal blocks` 38 and 38- (Fig. l) are provided near two of thecorners'of thepanel I9 for the purpose of making the necessaryelectrical connections to the feeding' tapes I3 and I4 which supplycurrent to the conductive heating-flayer'i-I within the panel. The'kterminal blocksY 33' and 39 are made of electrically insulating materialand extend from the front' surfacevofthepanel l0 into the raceway2U`through' the openings 24 provided in the top wall' 23of'the' racewayfor this purpose. The openings 24 are made considerably elongatedwith'respect to the terminal blocks, such openings preferably being at leastseveral times longer. than the terminal blocks. In this way, afterthe-panels carrying'the terminal blocks are atta'ched to the ceiling',vthe fitting of sections of the raceway over the marginal edge of thepanel is greatly'f/acilitated, sinceV such elongated openings" permitconsiderable latitude in aligning the openings in the raceway with theterminal'blocks;

Each terminal block'is fastened. to' the panel I!! by means ofA tworivets' 4D passingl through diagonal corners of theV blocks asindicatedV in Figs. 2 and 3. The outerface of eachterminal block has ashallow recessed' portion 4I accommodating a terminal strip ofconductivematerial, such as a copper strip'4 42, through which connecting screws43'andV 44 areV threaded for the purpose of fastening-:electricalwiringto theriterminal strip. Recesses 45 ln the terminal block permitpassage of the screws. For the purpose of making electrical contactbetween the terminal strip 42 and the feeding tapes I3 and I4 embeddedin the panel I3, an end length of each tape, such as tape I3, is broughtto the surface of the panel under the terminal block and passes intoengagement with the back face of the terminal block. The head of a smallmetal bolt 4S passing through a hole in the center of the block engagesthe strip I3, and serves to electrically connect it to the terminalstrip 42, which is secured to the bolt 45 by means of a nut 41.

After the panels IS are assembled in position in the ceiling as shown inFig, l and the raceway 2t is applied to the cove, electrical connectionsmay be made to the terminal block assemblies 38 and 3S extending throughthe openings 24 in the top of the raceway by means of insulatedelectrical wires 4S and 49 connected to terminal screws 43 and 44 on theterminal blocks. In this way the series of heating panels I iselectrically connected in parallel across the feed line. Each terminalblock is provided with a cover plate 50(Figs. 2 and 3) secured theretoby means of a screw 5I for the purpose of enclosing the electricalconnections. Holes 52 in the sides of the cover permit passage of thesupply wires to the terminal screws, The cover plates 5i) Aare shownremoved in Fig. 1 to reveal the electrical connections.

In operation, electric current fed to the terminal block 38 by the wire48 passes through the connecting strip 42 in the face of the block andthence through the bolt 45 into the feeder tape I3, whence itisdistributed along the length of one edge of the conductive rubberheating element II within the panel lll. The current fiows across theconductive rubber layer II, thereby producing the desired radiant heatby virtue of the resistance of the rubber layer to the flow of current.The radiant heat thus produced is emitted from the surface of the paneland is absorbed by occupants and objects in the room. rlhe current thenfiows from the conductive rubber layer I I into the oppositely placedfeeder tape I4, whence it passes through terminal block 39 into thereturn wire 49 to complete the electrical circuit.

The electric wires 48 and 49 may be passed into the raceway 2G throughan opening`53y (Fig. 1) in the top wall thereof, such openingconveniently Abeing provided in a relatively short connecting section orterminal box section 54 of the raceway. The connection section 54 of theraceway may have the same external configuration as the main portion ofthe raceway and may be connected thereto by short internal bridgingmembers 55 suitably fastened frictionally, or by screws (not shown) orother means.

The usual metallic cr non-metallic sheathed cable (not shown) may beemployed to bring the wires 4S and 49 from the main electric circuit ofthe building up to the opening 53 in the raceway, such cable beingfastened at the opening 5S by the usual conventional connector assembly(not shown). The electrical heating circuit includes the usualthermostat and switch (not shown) for controlling the heating to providethe desired room temperature and for turning the system on and olf.

From the foregoing, it is evident that the invention provides a radiantheating installation in which electrical connections can be made to theheating elements conveniently, it being unclosed Within a protectiveraceway.

The form of the raceway may be easily adapted to application to variouspoints on a room surface, Whether cna wall or a ceiling, and theraceways -m'ayI-b'edesigned either to be inconspicuous so lthat theheating installation is not evident on casual 'observation or theraceways may have an ornamental appearance to t in with the decorativeor architecturalscheme of any particular ty'pe of room or building. Theraceway may be manufactured in standard lengths which vare cut ltoksize,if necessary, and assembled together at Athe time of installation.

The provision of terminal blocks on the panels in the manner describedmakes it possible to yconnect conveniently virtually any desirednumberof `panels with the disclosed wiring system, and 'permits greatflexibility in the placement or disposition of the panels, which may beapplied to the entire surface of a room, or applied at spaced points onthe surface of a room, depending on the effect desired. The provision ofgreatly elongated openings on the raceway for receiving such terminalblocks permits easy alignment of the raceway with the tenminal blocks,with consequent convenience of installation.

'I'he plaster ledges on the raceway facilitate finishing of the roomsurface after the installation is made. The system is equally adaptableto use in new constructions, or to installation in f old buildingswithout destroying or extensively reconstructing the present walls orceilings.

The raceway installation assembly is particularly well adapted toceiling installations, which represent the most advantageous manner forutilizing radiant heating, because the radiant heat is normally mosteffectively distributed from the ceiling without undersirable convectioneffects. Placement of the raceway in a cove of the ceiling permitsinstallation of full ceiling coverage in such a way as to produce anunobtrusive appearance.

Inspection of the wiring for possible defects, or repair or replacementof the Wiring is easily accomplished because access to the wiring is hadby simply removing the cover of the enclosing raceway.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to protectby Letters Patent is:

l. In a device of the kind described, the combination with a radiantheating panel having connector blocks projecting from a surface thereofand of definite size and denitely located relative to each other and tothe edges of said panel. of a raceway body including a top wall toengage the same surface of the panel as that from which the connectorblocks project, said top wall having openings spaced according to thespacing of the connector blocks and oversize relative to the latterywhereby said raceway body may be assembled over the connector blockseven though the centers of said connector blocks and openings are instaggered relation, said connector blocks extending into the interior ofthe raceway body and the panel closing the unoccupied areas of theopenings.

2. In a radiant heating system in combination, a radiant heating panelhaving two connector blocks projecting from a surface thereof at asubstantial distance apart and disposed near one end of the panel, awire receiving raceway having a topy wall to engage the surface of thepanel from lwhich said blocks project and having openings in said topwall to receive said blocks, such open.- ing being Wider than a blockand several times longery than a block so that the raceway can be vmoveda substantial distance in the direction of its length while the blocksare in said openings, and means for securing the raceway in place sothaty it contacts the lower face of the panel with the blocks extendinginto the raceway.

' 3. In'a radiant heating system in combination,

ya radiant heating panel having two connector yblocks projecting fromasurface thereof at a substantial distance apart and disposed near oneend ofthe' panel, a wire receiving raceway having a rtop wall to engagesaid surface and an open face and also having openings in said top wallto receive the blocks, said openings being wider than a block andconsiderabiy longer than a block so 'that the raceway can be moved asubstantial distance in the direction of its length with the "blocks insaid openings, means for securing the 'raceway in place so that itcontacts the lower face of the panel with the blocks extending into theraceway, and a closure for said open face.

4. In a device of the kind described, the com- 'bination with a radiantheating ceiling panel 'having connector blocks projecting from the lowerfsurface thereof and of definite size and definitely 'located relativeto each other and to the edges of said panel, of a raceway bodyincluding a top wallto engage the lower surface of the panel, said topwall havingfopenings much larger than said blocks and spaced accordingto the spacing of the connector blocks whereby said raceway body may beradially assembled over the connector blocks, said connector blocksextending into the interior of the raceway body.

5. In combination with electrical heating panels, a raceway forenclosing electrical conductors feeding a multiplicity of heating panelsapplied to the ceiling of a room, comprising an angular channel having atop wall and a back wall and adapted to fit at the junction of a walland ceiling of a room, and spaced openings in the top wall of saidraceway for receiving electrical connecting means protruding from theheating panels, said openings being greatly elongated to permitadjustably positioning the raceway with respect to said connectingmeans.

6. In combination with electrical heating panels, a raceway forenclosing electrical conductors feeding a multiplicity of heating panelsapplied to a surface of a room comprising a channel having two wallsdisposed at an angle and adapted to fit at the junction of two surfacesof a room in contact with said panels, and spaced openings in one wallof said raceway for receiving electrical connecting means protrudingfrom the heating panels, said openings being greatly elongated to permitadjustable positioning of the raceway with respect to said connectingmeans.

'7. In combination with electrical heating panels, a raceway forenclosing electrical conductors feeding a multiplicity of heating panelsapplied to the ceiling of a room comprising an angular channel having atop horizontal wall and a vertical back wall and adapted to fit at thejunction of a wall and ceiling of a room in contact with the panels,spaced openings in the top wall of said raceway for receiving electricalconnecting means protruding from heating panels, said openings beinggreatly elongated with respect to 7 saidsconnecting means, an additionalopening for passing an electrical supply line into the raceway, and aremovable cover on the front of the raceway cooperating with said topwall and back wall thereof 'to constitute an essentially completeenclosure for electrical conductors therein.

8. In a radiant heating system, the combina.- tion of a metal racewayadapted to be attached to a room structure, an electrical radiantheating panel extending from said raceway, insulated terminal blocks onsaid panel, an electrical connecting means on each terminal block forfeeding electrical energy to said panel, said raceway havingblock-receiving openings therein, and said terminal blocks extendinginto the interior of said raceway at said openings, and each openingbeing several times longer than said terminal block for adjusting theposition f the raceway with respect to the panel.

9. In a devicefof the kind described, the combination with a radiantheating panel having connector blocks projecting from a surface thereofand of definite size and definitely located relative to each other andto the edges of said panel, of a. raceway body including a top wall toengage the same surface of the panel as that from which the connectorblocks project, said top wall having oversize openings for saidconnector blocks whereby said raceway body may be Aassembled over theconnector blocks with the blocks extending into the interior of theraceway body.

ROBERT C. CASSIDY.

JOHN F. SCHREISBER.

ELBERT DE F. TIDD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 567,248 Meek Sept. 8, 1896690,479 Storm Jan. '7. 1902 800,053 Ayres Sept. 19, i

1,825,0 10 Murphy Sept. 29, 1931 1,878,335 Shull Sept. 20, 19321,914,317 Wilson June 13. 1933 1,950,634 Siebenlist Mar. 13, 19342,018,293 Williams et al Oct. 22. 1935 2,036,054 Knapp Mar. 31, 19382,038,115 Keller Apr. 2l, 1936 2,132,400 Curren Oct. 11. 1938 2,314,766Bull et al. Mar. 23, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 309,093Great Britain Apr. 5. 1939 225,310 Switzerland Apr. 16. 196 598,910Great Britain Mar. 1, 1948

